Continuous flow reaction systems with controlled addition of reactants

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing continuous flow chemical reactions such as oxidation, oxidative dehydrogenation and partial oxidation processes involving a reactor design characterized by controlled/optimized addition of a reactant with the objective of: (i) avoiding the explosion regime of the reactant mixture (e.g., hydrocarbon/oxidant mixture); (ii) maximizing the selectivity of the reaction to the desired product; (iii) limiting the reactor temperature gradient and therefore the threat of reaction runaway; and (iv) controlling the operating temperature of the reaction zone so that desirable temperature range is maintained over the entire zone.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,779, filed May 5, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,064.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus wherein the introduction of at least one reactant feed into the reaction zone is optimized. The invention also relates to improved chemical reactions achieved using the continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Several publications are referenced in this application. The references describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains, and are hereby incorporated by reference.

An oxidative dehydrogenation, or partial oxidation, process is a one step conversion of light hydrocarbons to olefins and carboxylic acids. The process potentially offers many advantages over cracking and pure dehydrogenation which are extremely capital intensive and energy intensive. The conversion of saturated hydrocarbons into olefins and carboxylic acids over low temperature catalysts was disclosed by Thorstienson et al. in a report published in Journal of Catalysis, vol. 52, pp. 116-132 (1978).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,346 discloses a process for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene suggesting different low temperature catalyst systems. European Patent No. EP 0 518 548 A2 discloses a process for making acetic acid which comprises oxidizing ethane with molecular oxygen in a reaction zone at a pressure at least 100 psig while the reactants are in contact with a solid catalyst containing vanadium and phosphorous oxides (VPO system).

The oxidative dehydrogenation reaction, however, raises problems such as: (a) removal of the exothermic heat of reaction, (b) possible associated temperature runaway, (c) control of selectivity to desired product, and (d) limiting the formation of undesired oxygenated by-products and carbon oxides.

Another problem which is associated with oxydehydrogenation processes, as well as oxidation processes, is the limitation on the oxidant to hydrocarbon feed ratios which is imposed by the explosive mixture formation constraint. This problem compromises the ability of the process to achieve optimality of feed compositions that satisfy the stoichiometric and kinetic requirements of the reaction, yet avoid compositions which can lead to autoignition, deflagration, and detonation.

These problems have been addressed in a number of patents. Each tried to overcome one or more of the difficulties mentioned above by proposing a modified reactor system or different reactor arrangement.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,003 issued to Union Carbide relates to multi-staging the reactor system where a feed gas comprising ethane and oxygen is converted over an oxydehydrogenation catalyst to a product gas comprising ethylene, acetic acid, water, ethane, and carbon oxides. The product gas from each stage (other than the last stage) is cooled and a portion of the acetic acid and water is separated and oxygen is added before passing the product gas stream to the next reaction stage. Total oxygen content in the feed stream to any of the reactors was maintained below 6 mole percent with respect to the total input gaseous stream in that stage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,240 issued to SRI relates to a reactor with porous membranes to provide for the continuous addition of one reactant all along the reactor and mixing in the entire volume of the reactor to minimize or eliminate local high concentration gradients and hot spots. The other reactant is flowed through the inside of the permeation tube, which contains mixing elements. Those mixing elements were claimed to increase the yield of desired product by increasing the heat and mass transfer rates.

European Patent No. EP 546 677 A1 relates to a fluidized bed for ethane oxidation to acetic acid. The disclosed process included three key steps: (1) cooling the gaseous effluent from the reaction zone; (2) separating most of the acetic acid in liquid form from the effluent gases, leaving a gaseous stream containing nearly all of the carbon oxide contained in the effluent; (3) purging a small portion of said gaseous stream and recycling most of the gaseous stream as part of the feed to the reaction zone. Purging is intended to prevent build-up of carbon oxides in the reaction zone, while recycling serves to maintain a high proportion of carbon oxides in the reaction zone gases, thus aiding in moderating the temperature elevating effect of the highly exothermic oxidation reaction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,094 relates to a chemical reactor design which provides improved micro-mixing conditions and reduced localized zones of concentration to increase reaction selectivity to desired products. The design includes a capillary tubelet positioned within and along the length of flow tubes positioned in a shell reactor and one or more distributors for distributing a first reactant into the flow tubes and a second reactant into the capillary tubes.

European Patent Publication No. 0 532 325 relates to a method and apparatus for the production of ethylene oxide. European Patent Publication No. 0 383 224 relates to a shell-and-tube reactor and method of using the same.

It would be desirable to provide a continuous flow chemical reaction system which provides optimality of feed compositions along a substantial portion of the reaction zone and satisfies the stoichiometric and kinetics requirements of the reaction while maintaining the reaction mixture within the explosive mixture formation constraint and thus avoid reactant mixtures which can lead to autoignition, deflagration, and detonation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome the above-identified deficiencies.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus and method of using the same.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved continuous flow chemical reaction system where a controlled amount of at least one fluid reactant is introduced into the reaction zone at more than one location.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved continuous flow chemical reaction where a controlled, optimized amount of at least one fluid reactant is introduced into the reaction zone at more than one location.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved continuous flow chemical system for performing a catalytic reaction where at least one fluid reactant is introduced into the reaction zone at more than one location.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an apparatus in which one or more of the reactants is fed in an optimized distributed fashion to meet certain safety and performance requirements.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a reactor which achieves a catalyst bed temperature profile controlled by means of non-uniform reactant(s) distribution so that desired operating temperature range is achieved along the entire length of the reactor tube.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved continuous flow chemical reaction system which provides optimality of reacting mixture compositions along a substantial portion of the reaction zone and satisfies the stoichiometric and kinetics requirements of the reaction.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a reactor and reaction process wherein the total overall inventory of the reacting mixture falls within an unsafe/explosive composition region, while at any given point or region within the reactor the compositional mixture is within the domain of safe/non-explosive compositions.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the controlled/optimized addition of reactant(s) in continuous flow chemical reactions, preferably oxidative dehydrogenation, partial oxidation, or oxidation reactions. More specifically, the invention deals with the shortcomings of these high potential processes by the controlled addition of a reactant which is achieved by means of an injection member (tube) along the length of the reaction zone. The injection member (tube) is provided with injector(s) capable of introducing a controlled amount of reactant at the injector site into the reaction zone. Preferably, the injection member (tube) is provided with wall penetrations, holes, perforations, spargers, capable of performing two functions: (1) pressure drop control and (2) flow control. According to one preferred embodiment, the injectors allow for the introduction of a controlled amount of reactant into the reaction zone without allowing any reactant(s) to flow into the injector member (tube) from the reaction zone.

The present design offers a high degree of controllability over the quantity of reactant injection and the locations of the points of injection by adjusting the distance between the injection points. Therefore, injection can be optimized in such a way that only the sufficient and kinetically required amount of reactant is supplied at each point and this is controlled to respond to the spatial variation of the reaction conditions (i.e., temperature, pressure and reaction mixture composition).

According to another embodiment, an intermediate or co-feed may be injected which enhances catalyst performance or suppresses a certain poisoning effect. This provides yet another utility of the present invention.

The benefits achievable by using the present invention include the accurate control of the temperature profile along the catalyst bed by controlling the reaction extent and heat release via the quantitative and positional control of reactant addition.

The invention also enhances the catalyst productivity by introducing reactants in proportions which are not possible in conventional reactors due to the explosion regime limitation and the reaction runaway limitation.

The invention also provides a tool for designing the reaction in such a way that the production of the desired product is optimized.

The invention also allows for the adjustment of the reactant mixture composition at every point inside the reactor, as well as the reactor entrance, so that reactant mixtures within the explosion regimes can be avoided.

Furthermore, the invention improves catalyst performance by the delayed addition of a component which reverts its reduction/oxidation state or a component which remedies a catalyst poisoning situation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following detailed description, given by way of example but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematical representation of an improved reaction zone according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematical representation of an improved reaction zone according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematical drawing of the pressure drop control means shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a graphical representation of the oxygen distribution pattern for a continuous flow chemical reaction zone according to one embodiment of the invention where the vertical axis represents oxygen flow (SLPH) and the horizontal axis represents the reaction tube coordinate along the length of the reaction zone (m).

FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the reaction temperature profile for a continuous flow chemical reaction zone according to one embodiment of the invention and according to two comparative continuous flow chemical reaction zones where the vertical axis represents reaction temperature (° C.) and the horizontal axis represents the reaction tube coordinate along the length of the reaction zone (m).

FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of the oxygen concentration profile for a continuous flow chemical reaction zone according to one embodiment of the invention and according to two comparative continuous flow chemical reaction zones where the vertical axis represents oxygen concentration (mole %) and the horizontal axis represents the reaction tube coordinate along the length of the reaction zone (m).

FIG. 13 is a schematical drawing of a reaction system according to another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One aspect of the invention relates to improved continuous flow reaction systems.

One preferred embodiment of the invention relates to multi-tubular fixed bed catalytic reactors with the novel feature of a non-uniform distribution member such as the one described in FIG. 1. The first reactant feed is fed into a reaction zone via an inlet at one end of the reaction zone, while the second reactant feed is introduced into the reaction zone at a multiplicity of points along the length of the reaction zone via a central tube or distribution member. The distribution member preferably satisfies two important criteria at each point along the length of the catalyst bed: (1) pressure drop control; and (2) flow control.

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 2 which shows a continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus 10 comprising a reaction zone 11, preferably a tubular reaction which optionally contains catalyst 12. Reaction zone 11 also having a length and having a first fluid reactant feed inlet 13 for introducing first fluid reactant feed 14 into tubular reaction zone 11 at a first end 17 and a product outlet 15 for product stream 16 at a second end 18. The first fluid reactant feed 14 comprises the first fluid reactant and, preferably, a portion of second fluid reactant. The tubular reaction zone 11 also includes an interior conduit 20 extending lengthwise within tubular reaction zone 10. Conduit 20 having a second feed inlet 21 for introducing a second fluid reactant feed (e.g., containing a second fluid reactant) into tubular reaction zone 11 and, optionally, a second fluid feed outlet 23 for second fluid reactant exit stream 25. Conduit 20 also having a multiplicity of injectors 30 spaced apart along the length of conduit 20, each of injectors 30 capable of introducing a controlled amount of a second fluid feed into tubular reaction zone 11. As shown in FIG. 2, conduit 20 may pass through the entire length of tubular reaction zone 11. Alternatively, conduit 20 may end within tubular reaction zone 11 (see FIG. 3 described below).

According to one embodiment, the second fluid reactant is advantageously mixed with the first fluid reactant in the first fluid feed 14 so that an injector 30 is not required in the first segment of reaction zone 11. The composition containing the second reactant provided in the first fluid feed may be the same or different from the composition containing the second reactant provided by the second feed. For example, the first feed may include pure oxygen (which is an oxygen-containing composition) as the second reactant and the second feed may contain air (which is also an oxygen-containing composition) also as the second reactant. Alternatively, the first and second feed may contain the same second reactant composition such as each containing air or pure oxygen.

According to another embodiment, first fluid reactant feed 14 includes the first reactant (without any second reactant) and second fluid reactant feed 22 includes the second reactant. According to this embodiment, the apparatus preferably includes an injector 30 proximate the first end 17 of the reaction zone 11 to provide second reactant at the front end of the reaction zone.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIG. 3, relates to a continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus 40 comprising a plurality of tubular reaction zones 11, optionally containing catalyst 12, within a heat transfer vessel 41 including at least one heat transfer zone 42, each of the heat transfer zones 42 having a heat transfer fluid inlet 43 and a heat transfer fluid outlet 44. Reactor apparatus 40 also having a first reaction feed inlet 45 for first reaction feed 14. Reactor apparatus 40 also having a second reaction feed inlet 47 for a second reaction feed 22 and a reactor product outlet 46 for product stream 16. According to one embodiment, first reaction feed 14 contains a first reactant (e.g., ethane, ethylene) and preferably a portion of a second reactant (e.g., air, oxygen). Each of tubular reaction zones 11 having a length, a first fluid reactant feed inlet 13 at a first end, a product outlet 15 at a second end and an interior conduit 20 extending lengthwise within tubular reaction zone 11. Interior conduits 20 having a multiplicity of injectors 30 spaced apart along the length of the conduits 20 and along the length of the tubular reaction zone 11 and each of injectors 30 being adapted to introduce a controlled amount of second fluid reaction feed 22 into tubular reaction zones 11.

Preferably, as depicted in FIG. 4, heat transfer vessel 41 comprises a plurality of heat transfer zones 42. According to one preferred embodiment, heat transfer vessel 41 is a cylindrical vessel.

In another preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 5, the continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus 40 of FIG. 3 has interior conduits 20 which do not dead end in tubular reactor zone 11 but rather extend through tubular reaction zone 11 to outlet header 48 to exit the reaction apparatus 40 through second reactant feed outlet 49. In this embodiment of the invention, second feed exit stream 25 (containing excess, unreacted second reactant) can be passed through reaction apparatus 40 and thereby assist in removing the heat of reaction. Preferably, second feed exit stream 25 is recycled into reaction zone 11 via inlet 47.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a catalyst 12 within the tubular reaction zone(s) 11. Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a catalyst bed(s) within the tubular reaction zone(s) and surrounding the interior conduit(s).

According to one preferred embodiment, interior conduit(s) 20 is concentric with the tubular reaction zone(s) 11. Preferably, the tubular reaction zone(s) 11 has a cross-section which is a substantially circular, interior conduit 20 is concentric with tubular reaction zone 11 and tubular reaction zone 11 comprises a catalyst bed 12 surrounding the interior conduit 20.

The apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of injectors 30, preferably between 2 and 40 injectors, more preferably between 4 and 25 injectors and most preferred between 6 and 15 injectors. Advantageously, injectors 30 are selected from the group consisting of wall penetrations, holes, perforations, spargers, or combinations thereof.

According to another preferred embodiment, also depicted in FIG. 5, the apparatus further comprises a pressure drop control means 50 in conduit(s) 20 proximate to at least one of or each of injectors 30. Pressure drop control means 50 can be packing, pellets or any other flow restricting devices. FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged schematical representation of a pressure drop control means 50 (pellets) according to one embodiment of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a continuous flow chemical reaction fluidized bed apparatus 60 as shown in FIG. 7. Apparatus 60 comprises a fluidized bed reaction zone 55 having a height and having a first fluid reaction feed inlet 13 at a lower end for first fluid reaction feed 14 and a product outlet 15 for product stream 16 at an upper end. The first fluid reaction feed 14 includes a first reactant and preferably a portion of second fluid reactant. Fluidized bed reaction zone 55 also includes an interior conduit 20 extending vertically within the fluidized bed reaction zone 55, the conduit 20 having a multiplicity of injectors 30 spaced apart along the length of the conduit, each of the injectors 30 capable of introducing a controlled amount of a second fluid reaction feed 22 into the fluidized bed reaction zone 55. Preferably, conduit 20 also includes pressure drop control means 50 proximate injectors 30. Second fluid reaction feed 22 preferably comprises a second reactant.

Yet another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 8, relates to a continuous flow chemical reaction apparatus 70 comprising a plurality of fluidized bed reaction zones 55 within a heat transfer vessel 41 having at least one heat transfer zone 42, each of the heat transfer zones 42 having a heat transfer fluid inlet 43 and a heat transfer fluid outlet 44 and each of the tubular reaction zones 55 having a height. The tubular reaction zones 55 also having a first fluid feed inlet 45 for first fluid feed 14 at a lower end, a product feed outlet 46 for product feed 16 at an upper end and an interior conduit 20 extending vertically within each of fluidized bed reaction zones 55. The interior conduits 20 having a multiplicity of injectors 30 spaced apart along the length of the fluidized bed reaction zones 55 and each of the injectors 30 being adapted to introduce a controlled amount of a portion of second fluid feed reactant 22 into the fluidized bed reaction zone 55.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial schematical view of another embodiment of the invention where apparatus where second reactant feed 22 is introduced into a fluidized bed reaction zone 81 via conduits 82, wherein the conduits 82 are perpendicular to the flow of first reaction feed 14 and each conduit 82 introduces different or the same amounts of second reaction feed 22 at each point along reaction zone 81.

Preferably, the fluidized bed apparatus is capable of operating in the bubbling regime. According to one embodiment, the reaction zone is a circulating fluidized bed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to improved chemical reactions. Using the present invention, chemical reactions can be performed achieving improved yields and selectivity. The fluid flowing through the distribution member can be a single reactant component, a mixture of reacting components or a mixture of reacting component(s) and inert component(s).

One embodiment of the invention relates to a method of performing a continuous chemical reaction between at least one first fluid reactant and at least one second fluid reactant to form a reaction product comprising:

(a) continuously introducing a first fluid reaction feed containing the first reactant and, preferably, the second fluid reactant, into a first end of a tubular reaction zone having a length whereby the first and second fluid reactants continuously flow towards a second end of the tubular reaction zone; and

(b) continuously introducing a second fluid reaction feed containing the second fluid phase reactant into an interior conduit which extends lengthwise within the tubular reaction zone, the interior conduit having a multiplicity of injectors spaced apart lengthwise along the conduit;

(c) introducing the second fluid reaction feed into the tubular reaction zone at a multiplicity of points along the length of the tubular reaction zone by passing controlled amounts of the second reaction feed containing the second reactant through the multiplicity of injectors into the tubular reaction zone; and

(d) providing conditions conducive to the chemical reaction in the tubular reaction zone whereby the chemical reaction proceeds and the reaction product is formed.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of performing a catalytic chemical reaction comprising reacting a first fluid reactant with a second fluid reactant to form a reaction product in a catalyst bed, wherein

(a) a first fluid reaction feed is introduced into a first end of a tubular reaction zone having a length and containing the catalyst bed, the first fluid reaction feed containing the first and second fluid reactants flowing towards a second end of the tubular reaction zone;

(b) a second fluid reaction feed containing the second reactant is introduced into a conduit within and concentric to the tubular reaction zone, the conduit having a multiplicity of injectors spaced apart lengthwise along it and each of the injectors introduces a controlled amount of the second reactant into the tubular reaction zone; and

(c) providing conditions conducive to the chemical reaction within the tubular reaction zone whereby the chemical reaction proceeds and the reaction product is formed.

Preferably, the tubular reaction zone(s) contains a catalyst and the first fluid reactant flows through the catalyst along with the second fluid reactant.

According to one preferred embodiment, the chemical reaction has a selected reaction temperature and the temperature in the tubular reaction zone(s) is maintained within 15° C. of the selected reaction temperature through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone(s). Preferably, the reaction temperature is maintained within 10° C., advantageously within 6° C. of the selected reaction temperature through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone(s).

According to another preferred embodiment, the chemical reaction has an explosive regime when the concentration of the second fluid reactant in the tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration and the invention further comprises controlling the amount of the second fluid reactant introduced into the tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of the second fluid reactant is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.

According to one preferred embodiment, the total overall inventory of the reacting mixture falls within an unsafe/explosive composition region, while at any given point or region within the reactor the compositional mixture is within the domain of safe/non-explosive compositions.

According to one embodiment, the chemical reaction is the partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid, and wherein the first fluid reactant comprises ethane and the second fluid reactant comprises oxygen. (e.g., pure O₂, air, etc.).

According to another embodiment, the chemical reaction is the partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid, wherein the first fluid reactant comprises ethane and the second fluid reactant comprises oxygen, and at least 10% of the ethane in the first fluid reactant is reacted to form acetic acid per single pass through the tubular reaction zone.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of performing a continuous chemical reaction in a fluidized bed between at least one first fluid reactant and at least one second fluid reactant to form a reaction product comprising:

(a) continuously introducing the first fluid reactant and preferably a portion of the second fluid reactant into a lower end of a fluidized bed reaction zone having a height whereby the reactant(s) continuously flows towards an upper end of the fluidized bed reaction zone; and

(b) continuously introducing the second fluid phase reactant into an interior conduit which extends vertically within the fluidized bed reaction zone, the interior conduit having a multiplicity of injectors spaced apart lengthwise along the conduit;

(c) introducing the second fluid phase reactant into the first fluid phase reactant at a multiplicity of points along the height of the fluidized bed reaction zone by passing controlled amounts of the second reactant through the multiplicity of injectors into the fluidized bed reaction zone; and

(d) providing conditions conducive to the chemical reaction in the fluidized bed reaction zone whereby the chemical reaction proceeds and the reaction product is formed.

Another embodiment relates to a method of performing a catalytic chemical reaction comprising reacting a first fluid reactant with a second fluid reactant to form a reaction product in a catalyst bed, wherein:

(a) the first fluid reactant, along with a portion of second fluid reactant, is introduced into a lower end of a fluidized bed reaction zone having a height and containing the catalyst bed, the first and second fluid reactants flowing towards an upper end of the fluidized bed reaction zone;

(b) the second fluid reactant is introduced into a conduit within the fluidized bed reaction zone, the conduit having a multiplicity of injectors spaced apart lengthwise along it and each of the injectors introduces a controlled amount of the second reactant into the fluidized bed reaction zone; and

(c) providing conditions conducive to the chemical reaction within the fluidized bed reaction zone whereby the chemical reaction proceeds and the reaction product is formed.

Preferably, the chemical reaction in the fluidized bed proceeds in the bubbling regime.

A full range of industrially important reactions can benefit from the current inventions especially those suffering from: temperature run-away limitations and explosive mixtures composition limitation such as ethylene oxide, maleic anhydride, phalic anhydride, etc.

Additional reactions which may be performed using the present invention are set forth in Table I below.

TABLE I Reaction Catalyst Hydrogenation Cyclopropane + H₂C₃H₈C₂H₆ + Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru H₂2CH₄ 3H₂ + N₂2NH₃ Fe 2H₂ + COCH₃OH Cu⁺/ZnO Heptane toluene + 4H₂ Pt Acetone + H₂ 2-propanol Pt, Copper chromite H₂ + aldehyde alcohol Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru Oxi-chlorination Halogenation Oxidation CH₃OH + ½O₂CH₂O + H₂O Fe₂O₃.MoO₃ H₂O + COH₂ + CO₂ Fe₃O₄, Ni, CuO/ZnO ½O₂ + CH₂CH₂CH₃CHO PdCl and similar salts of noble metals RCH₂OHRCHO + H₂ Pt Glucose d-glucuronic acid Pt

EXAMPLES

The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are illustrative of some of the products and methods of making the same falling within the scope of the present invention. They are, of course, not to be considered in any way limitative of the invention. Numerous changes and modifications can be made with respect to the invention.

Example 1

Partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid is utilized here as a model reaction to demonstrate the benefit of the present invention. Kinetics developed by Thorstienson et al., Journal of Catalysis, vol. 52, pp. 116-132 (1978) are used to describe the rates of reactions involved on this partial oxidation process, those reactions are: C₂H₆+0.5 O₂→C₂H₄+H₂O C₂H₄+O₂→CH₃COOH C₂H₆+3.5 O₂→2CO₂+3H₂O C₂H₄+2O₂→2CO+2H₂O CH₃COOH+O₂→2CO+2H₂O CO+0.5 O₂→CO₂ C₂H₄+3.0 O₂→2CO₂+2H₂O

Model equations have been developed for the catalyst tube resulting in a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations which were solved numerically to predict the non-isothermal behavior of the reaction. This is to calculate the reacting mixture compositions, pressure and temperature at each point along the length of the reactor tube.

The model was then used to simulate operating scenarios where the target in each one was to maximize the production of ethylene and acetic acid without having a oxygen concentration higher than that of the lower explosion limit of the ethane-oxygen mixture (estimated as 8% oxygen in ethane under the elected operating conditions).

Operating variables and design parameters for the three cases (Cases I, II and III) which were studied using the model are provided in Table II. The predicted performance is also given in the same table.

TABLE II Case I Case II Case III Ethane Flow, SLPH 8280 8280 8280 Oxygen Flow at entrance, SLPH 720 720 720 Oxygen Flow Distributed, SLPH — 400 1000 Feed Temperature, C. 120 120 120 Coolant Temperature, C. 256 254 254 Feed Press, Barg. 26 26 26 Catalyst Tube ID mm 24.3 24.3 24.3 Catalyst Tube OD mm 33.4 33.4 33.4 Catalyst Tube Length, mm 1250 1250 1250 Central Tube OD, mm — 6 6 Ethane conversion, % 4.0 5.6 7.6 Oxygen Conversion, % 92.8 85.0 77.6 Selectivity to (Ethylene + Acetic Acid) 72.8 70.1 68.0 Overall Performance in STY (Tons of 593 803 1058 desired products per ton Catalyst per Year)

In Case I, the reactor is of the conventional fixed bed type, and the feed composition is constrained by the explosion limit of 8% O₂ in the mixture.

The second scenario (Case II) employs a reactor of the type proposed by Tonkovich et al. (1996) in Chem. Eng. Science, vol. 51, in which the distribution of more oxygen than that allowed in the main feed is carried out continuously along the catalyst bed by means of a porous central tube. The amount of oxygen flowed through the central tube was limited by the oxygen concentration at intermediate points in the catalyst bed.

The third scenario (Case III) has a special oxygen flow distribution pattern, as shown in FIG. 10. The same constraint of 8% oxygen concentration was used for this case. However, the non-uniform/controlled distribution pattern gave rise to a much superior reactor performance, as it allowed for much more oxygen to be fed to the reaction system, thus increasing the ethane conversion and the catalyst tube productivity. The preferred embodiment of the invention (Case III) provides a performance improvement of 78% over the conventional reactor and 32% over the uniform oxidant distribution option (Case II).

Moreover, the invention provides for better control over the catalyst bed temperature as shown in FIG. 11, maintaining the catalyst and reaction mixture in a preferred operating temperature range, while this advantage was not achievable neither by conventional reactor nor by the uniform distribution option.

Another reason for the superior performance demonstrated is the ability of the novel reactor to maintain the oxygen concentration within a favorable range along the length of the reaction zone, as can be seen in FIG. 12.

Example 2

The reaction of ethane oxidation was performed using a pilot scale testing unit illustrated in FIG. 13. The following is a description of the testing rig:

A. Feed Section

The feed section consisted mainly of clusters of compressed gas cylinders with manifolds and mass flow controllers. The feed section was constructed to feed into the reactor the following reactants: ethane, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Mass flow controllers on each gas feed line were operated from a remote location. A forward pressure regulator on each gas feed line maintained the desired pressure of the reactants.

B. Reactor Section

The prototype multi-injection reactor was constructed from 316 stainless steel with a length of 12.5 m. It was bent into a U-shape to keep the structure within a reasonable height. The reactor consisted of an inner (distribution) tube, a thermowell, an outer tube and a shell. The inner tube and the thermowell were situated inside the outer tube, which was filled with a catalyst of the type described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,920, U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,597 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,056. The shell surrounded the outer tube. The dimensions of the tubes and the shell are as follows:

Outer diameter, mm Thickness, mm Inner tube 12 1.5 Thermowell 8 1.5 Outer tube 44.5 2.6 Shell 88.9 4.0

The inner tube had distribution points along its length equipped with custom-built injectors. The size and number of injector holes were designed to provide the following flow pattern:

Location from tube entrance, mm 2000 4000 6000 8000 10500 Percentage of the total 8 11 30 28 23 flow to the inner tube

Steam was circulated in the shell of the reactor counter currently to accomplish the required heat removal. A differential pressure transmitter (“DPT”) was installed to monitor the total pressure drop along the reactor catalyst bed. A provision for sampling the reaction mixture was made at four different points along the catalyst bed.

C. Product Handling

The product gases from the reactor were then transferred to a shell and tube heat exchanger, where product condensation was achieved by a chilled water being circulated on the shell side. The two phase flow exiting the exchanger was sent to a gas liquid separator, from which gases were vented and liquids were collected in a receiving tank. Both condensation and separation of the product took place under the system pressure by means of a back pressure regulator installed on the vent gas line leaving the condensate separator.

D. Heat Transfer System

The heat transfer system included a steam drum and an air blower. The steam drum was located at a point above the reactor and was connected to the shell side of the reactor. The air blower was connected to the jacket of the drum to cool the steam. The system was instrumented with a level transmitter to indicate the level of water in the drum, a temperature transmitter, a pressure transmitter and safety relief valve.

E. Results

A comparison is given below in Table III for two experimental runs, where in the first run the oxygen feed was introduced according to the distribution scheme given earlier. While in the second run the inner tube was replaced by a dummy tube and only the allowable oxygen due to the explosion limit was introduced with the hydrocarbon at the reactor entrance (e.g., single oxygen inlet with hydrocarbon feed). All other conditions (coolant temperature, reaction peak temperature, hydrocarbon flow, system pressure, etc.) were kept the same.

TABLE III Run #1 Run #2 Total flow, m³/h 33.28 33.3 Percentage ethane 44.95 45.05 Oxygen injected 3.3 0.0 Pressure, barg 26.0 26.0 Coolant Temperature, C. 251.0 251.0 Peak Temperature, C. 278.0 278.0 Ethane conversion, % 13.02 8.69 Oxygen Outlet, % 5.51 0.52 Acetic Acid Selectivity, % 59.24 48.12 Ethylene Selectivity, % 16.38 25.38 CO₂ Selectivity, % 23.34 25.74 Acetic Acid Productivity, kg 1171.7 636.9 Acid/kg Catalyst/year

As shown in Table III, the present invention (Run #1) provides a productivity to acetic acid at least 80% greater than the productivity provided by the comparative embodiment (Run #2). Moreover, both the ethane conversion and acetic acid selectivity is improved using the invention.

Reference is also made to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565,355 by Adris et al. and entitled “Tubular Reactor with Gas Injector For Gas Phase Catalytic Reactions” filed on even date herewith, herein incorporated by reference.

The above description of the invention is intended to illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

1. A method of performing a continuous chemical reaction between at least a first fluid reactant and at least a second fluid reactant to form a reaction product comprising: (i) continuously introducing a first fluid feed containing said first fluid reactant into a first end of a tubular reaction zone having a length whereby first fluid reactant continuously flows towards a second end of said tubular reaction zone; and (ii) continuously introducing a second fluid feed containing said second fluid phase reactant into said tubular reaction zone at a multiplicity of points along the length of said tubular reaction zone by passing said second reactant through a multiplicity of injectors spaced apart lengthwise along said tubular reaction zone, whereby the amount of said second reactant passed through at least one of said injectors is controlled by a pressure drop control means proximate to the injector; and (iii) providing conditions conducive to said chemical reaction in said tubular reaction zone whereby said chemical reaction proceeds and said reaction product is formed.
 2. A method of performing a catalytic chemical reaction comprising reacting a first fluid reactant with a second fluid reactant to form a reaction product in a catalyst bed, wherein (i) said first fluid reactant is introduced into a first end of a tubular reaction zone having a length and containing said catalyst bed and flows towards a second end of said tubular reaction zone; (ii) said second fluid reactant is introduced into said tubular reaction zone through a multiplicity of injectors which are spaced apart lengthwise along said tubular reaction zone, whereby the amount of said second reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone by at least one of said injectors is controlled by a pressure drop control means proximate to the injector; and (iii) providing conditions conducive to said chemical reaction within said tubular reaction zone whereby said chemical reaction proceeds and said reaction product is formed.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said tubular reaction zone contains a catalyst and said first fluid reactant and said second fluid reactant flow through said catalyst.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said tubular reaction zone has a cross-section which is a substantially circular and wherein the amount of said second reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone at a multiplicity of said injectors is controlled by pressure-drop control means proximate to each of said multiplicity of injectors.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said tubular reaction zone has a cross-section which is a substantially circular and wherein the amount of said second reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone at a multiplicity of said injectors is controlled by pressure-drop control means proximate to each of said multiplicity of injectors.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said chemical reaction has a selected reaction temperature and the temperature in said tubular reaction zone is maintained within 10° C. of said selected reaction temperature through at least 50% of the length of said tubular reaction zone.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said chemical reaction has a selected reaction temperature and the temperature in said tubular reaction zone is maintained within 10° C. of said selected reaction temperature through at least 50% of the length of said tubular reaction zone.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein said reacting components have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 70% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second fluid reactants and said reaction product have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 70% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second fluid reactants and said reaction product have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 80% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second fluid reactants and said reaction product have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 80% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 12. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second fluid reactants and said reaction product have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 90% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 13. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second fluid reactants and said reaction product have an explosive regime when the concentration of said second fluid reactant in said tubular reaction zone is at an explosive concentration, and said method further comprises controlling the amount of said second fluid reactant introduced into said tubular reaction zone so that the concentration of said second fluid reactant is at least 90% of the explosive concentration through at least 50% of the length of the tubular reaction zone and does not exceed the explosive concentration at any point throughout the length of the tubular reaction zone.
 14. The method of claim 2, wherein the chemical reaction is the partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid, and wherein said first fluid reactant comprises ethane and said second fluid reactant comprises oxygen.
 15. The method of claim 5, wherein the chemical reaction is the partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid, wherein said first fluid reactant comprises ethane and said second fluid reactant comprises oxygen, and at least 10% of the ethane in said first fluid reactant is reacted to form acetic acid per single pass through said tubular reaction zone.
 16. A method of performing a continuous chemical reaction between at least one first fluid reactant and at least one second fluid reactant to form a reaction product comprising: (i) continuously introducing said first fluid reactant and said second fluid reactant into a lower end of a fluidized bed reaction zone having a height whereby said first fluid reactant and said second fluid reactant flow towards an upper end of said fluidized bed reaction zone; (ii) continuously introducing said second fluid phase reactant into said fluidized bed reaction zone at a multiplicity of points along the height of said fluidized bed reaction zone by passing controlled amounts of said second fluid phase reactant through said multiplicity of injectors spaced apart heightwise along said tubular reaction zone into said fluidized bed reaction zone, whereby the amount of said second reactant passed through at least one of said injectors is controlled by a pressure drop control means proximate to the injector; and (iii) providing conditions conducive to said chemical reaction in said fluidized bed reaction zone whereby said chemical reaction proceeds and said reaction product is formed. 